Abstract:
Abstract
Background: Depression is a major mental health problem and is third leading cause of burden
of diseases and fourth largest cause of disability worldwide. Depression among older adults
substantially increases the risk for adverse outcomes including physical health problems,
reduced life satisfaction and quality, disturbed social functioning, increased utilization of home
and health care services. There are very few studies on geriatric depression in developing
countries including Ethiopia.
Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depression and associated factors
among older Adults at Yirgalem town, Southern Ethiopia 2022.
Methods: Community based cross-sectional study was conducted among a sample of 628 older
adults aged 60 and above residents at Yirgalem town from May 15 to June 15 2022 using multi
stage sampling technique. Geriatric depression scale 15 with cut-off point 5 and above was
used among 628 eligible study participants enrolled, and 620 were interviewed yielding a. Data
were collected by structured questionnaires through face to face interview. Data were coded
and interred to Epi data version 4.6 and analysed using STATA version 14 and descriptive data
were summarized using tables, charts and graphs. Bivariable and multivariable logistic
regression analyses was done to identify factors associated with depression. Statistical
significance was declared at 95% confidence interval with P-value less than 0.05.
Results: The prevalence of depression among older adults was 51.77% (95% CI: 47.83-55.69)
with response rate of 98.7%. Being a female (AOR=2.3 (95%CI: 1.56-3141), more advanced
age 70-79 year (AOR=1.92 (95% CI:1.20-3.07), 80-89 year (AOR=2.15 (1.27-3.65), 90 and
older (AOR=3.77 (95% CI: 1.95-7.79), living alone (AOR=1.99 (95% CI=1.17-3.41),having a
chronic illness (AOR=3.24 (95% CI: 1.06-4.46), anxiety (AOR=3.40 (95% CI:2.25-5.14), and
having poor social support (AOR=3.56 (95% CI: 2.09-6.04) were statistically associated with
depression at a p-value < 0.05.
Conclusion: In this study, depression affects more than half of the elderly residents in the study
area. advanced age, being a woman, living alone, having a chronic illness, anxiety, and having
poor social support were all strongly linked to depression. There is necessity of integrating
community healthcare system with counselling and psychiatric services
